Copenhagen Retains Top Spot in 2026 Livability Rankings
The world s most livable city – Amid rapid global transformation, the annual livability rankings from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) reveal that certain benchmarks remain consistent. For the second consecutive year, Copenhagen, Denmark, has secured the number one position, edging out Vienna, Austria, which previously held the top spot for three years. The EIU’s report, released on Tuesday, evaluates cities across 173 locations using criteria such as education, stability, healthcare, infrastructure, and cultural appeal.
Key Rankings and Regional Shifts
The Danish capital achieved perfect scores in three categories: stability, infrastructure, and education. Meanwhile, New York climbed three positions to 66th, driven by enhanced stability scores linked to reduced crime rates and diminished concerns over terrorist threats. Honolulu, Hawaii, retained its status as the highest-ranked U.S. city, though it slipped two spots to 25th. Vancouver, Canada, was the sole North American city in the top 10, placing ninth.
“Copenhagen’s consistent leadership stems from a blend of exceptional stability, robust infrastructure, strong cultural and environmental appeal, and top-tier public services,” stated an EIU representative.
Melbourne, Australia, rose one place to third, while Sydney surged from sixth to fourth. In Switzerland, Zurich dropped from second to fifth after a prior tie with Vienna, which now ranks second overall. Geneva followed closely at sixth. Osaka, Japan, held steady at seventh, and Adelaide, Australia, entered the top 10 at eighth. Tokyo rounded out the list at tenth.
Regional dynamics also shifted. The Gulf region experienced a downturn in stability scores due to tensions with Iran, with Muscat, Oman, plummeting 14 spots to 123rd and Kuwait City losing 12 positions to 105th. Conversely, the United Kingdom rebounded from last year’s decline, with Manchester leading its cities at 52nd place, surpassing London (54th) and Edinburgh (64th).
Asia’s Rise and Global Balance
Western Europe maintained its edge in livability, yet its average score of 91.7 dipped slightly compared to 2025. Asia, however, saw a 0.3-point increase, largely fueled by healthcare advancements in Chinese cities. Fuzhou, located in the southeast, climbed seven places to 93rd. “Healthcare scores across Chinese cities were boosted by improved funding and investment, including a new long-term care insurance system,” noted an EIU spokesperson.
“The global livability score remained unchanged as declines in Middle Eastern stability balanced gains in Asian healthcare,” said Ana Nicholls, EIU’s industry director. “Asia now contributes nine cities to the top 20, alongside seven European entries.”
At the bottom of the list, Damascus, Syria, remains the least livable city, while Tehran, Iran, dropped to 164th due to regional conflicts. Kyiv, Ukraine, fell to 166th, marking a notable shift in the rankings.
Top 10 Cities (2026): 1. Copenhagen, Denmark 2. Vienna, Austria 3. Melbourne, Australia 4. Sydney, Australia 5. Zurich, Switzerland 6. Geneva, Switzerland 7. Osaka, Japan 8. Adelaide, Australia 9. Vancouver, Canada 10. Tokyo, Japan
